Animal Cruelty 4:22-17 a. It shall be unlawful to:
(1)Overdrive,
overload, drive when overloaded, overwork, abuse, or needlessly kill a living
animal or creature;
(2)Cause or
procure, by any direct or indirect means, including but not limited to through
the use of another living animal or creature, any of the acts described in
paragraph (1) of this subsection to be done;
(3)Inflict
unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature, by any direct or indirect
means, including but not limited to through the use of another living animal or
creature; or leave the living animal or creature unattended in a vehicle under
inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the living animal or
creature; or
(4)Fail, as the
owner or as a person otherwise charged with the care of a living animal or creature,
to provide the living animal or creature with necessary care.
b. (1) A person
who violates subsection a. of this section shall be guilty of a disorderly
persons offense. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 to the
contrary, for every conviction of an offense pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2)
of subsection a. of this section, the person shall be fined not less than $250
nor more than $1,000, or be imprisoned for a term of not more than six months,
or both, in the discretion of the court; and for every conviction of an offense
pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection a. of this section, the person
shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $2,000, or be imprisoned for a
term of not more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.